Johnson & Johnson (J&J) adopted its controversial strategy for battling cancer claims tied to baby powder after a $2 billion court loss sparked concern that the company’s perfect credit rating could be damaged by the growing number of similar lawsuits, a retired J&J treasurer testified.

Michelle Ryan exchanged emails with credit rating firms previewing the company’s bankruptcy options last year, before the court strategy was implemented, according to records shown Tuesday in a federal trial on whether that tactic is legitimate. Through the maneuver, J&J shunted all its baby-powder liabilities into a separate unit and then put that entity in bankruptcy.

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